Part 5. South-western baths.

South-western baths

This
bath building found in the new Insula Occidentalis excavation area contained
various finds which show that the baths were not in use at the time of the eruption,
but that it had been transformed into a space for laying up boats and storing
maritime equipment. In fact a small boat, currently
undergoing restoration work, was found in this building. Parts of other boats
already dismantled in the Roman period show that maintenance work was taking
place. This is also shown by the discovery of a red prow in the form of a
serpent, a wooden rudder, six oars and a pile of planking ready for use.

Herculaneum,
June 2014. Red prow of a boat in the shape of a serpent’s head, now in
deposits.